Menu Plan 2/24

A bit late, but here's my plan for the rest of the week. Wednesday and Friday are a little challenging for me- with the beginning of Lent, I won't be eating meat on Fridays, nor on Wednesday of this week. The rest of the family, though, will be eating meat as usual. Here's my plan:

• TUESDAY: steak fajitas, rice, stewed tomatoes
• WEDNESDAY: Potato soup for me (which DH doesn't like)... Hamburger Helper Chili Mac (which I can't stand) for DH... the kids can choose.... everyone will be happy!
• THURSDAY: Roast Chicken in the Crockpot, stuffing, green beans
• FRIDAY: leftovers for the meat eaters, and a new hash brown soup for me-- I'll post the recipe on Friday
• SATURDAY: honey dijon pork loin (pre-seasoned from the grocery store), steamed mixed veggies, parslied potatoes
  

Check out Menu Plan Monday for hundreds of other menus.
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Menu Plan Monday 2/16/09

This week all of our meals will be made from what's on hand, with one exception: the BBQ ribs my husband has requested. Since these are all ingredients I have on hand, that pretty much also means that these are some of our family's favorite meals. I'll be making a run to two different stores to hit some sales, but other than the ribs and milk, we already have all we'll need for this week's meals.

• MONDAY: my favorite vegetable soup, cold meat and/or grilled cheese sandwiches
• TUESDAY: buffalo chicken subs (chicken tenders sauted in buffalo sauce with lettuce and blue cheese dressing on a sub bun) for the adults, chicken nuggets for the kids; *new recipe* parmesean roasted potato wedges (crockpot), grape tomatoes
• WEDNESDAY: ham steaks, macaroni & cheese, peas
• THURSDAY: our favorite BBQ ribs in the crockpot, corn
• FRIDAY: our favorite beef enchiladas, stewed tomatoes, sweet corn cake

My project for today is to reorganize the pantry and the stockpile-- I'm guessing that there's enough there to eat for at least two more weeks!

A Quick Menu Plan

Finally, a moment to sit and sketch out a menu plan for the rest of the week:

• MONDAY (last night): smoked sausage, macaroni & cheese, steamed broccoli (kids' request meal)
• TUESDAY: crockpot pizza, garlic bread, green beans
• ***Crockpot pizza is one of those meals I throw together with whatever is on hand- today's version will use partially cooked shell pasta, a pound of browned sausage, pepperoni, a jar of spaghetti sauce, mozzarella cheese, and onions. Mix it all up and cook on low for 4-5 hours-- yum!
• WEDNESDAY: leftovers
• THURSDAY: chicken tacos (chicken pieces + taco seasoning + salsa, cooked in the crockpot all day and served in tortillas with cheese, lettuce, etc.)
• FRIDAY: ham steaks, au gratin potatoes, peas

All of those are quick and easy, no-recipes-required meals. I've almost given up on menu planning these last couple of months as our busy schedule keeps changing. This week is especially crazy, but I feel better knowing I at least have a plan to fall back on.

P.S. Even though it's Tuesday, you can still check out tons of others' menus over at Menu Plan Monday! :)

Menu Plan Monday- all tried and true this week

This week I'm going with all tried and true recipes- I've got a lot going on, so I'm relying on recipes that I know everyone will enjoy:

• MONDAY: my infamous chicken enchiladas, stewed tomatoes, sweet corn cake


• TUESDAY: my crockpot spaghetti sauce, ziti pasta, green beans, tossed salad



• WEDNESDAY: crockpot "Chicken Lickin' Good" Pork Chops, rice, steamed broccoli



• THURSDAY: crockpot Italian roast, potatoes, peas



• FRIDAY: leftovers.... or whatever bargain I found at the grocery store on Tuesday ;)

Menu Plan Monday 12/29/08

I decided that it's high time that I jump back into weekly menu planning... so here it is! :)

• MONDAY: Our favorite bean dip, tortilla chips, grape tomatoes, and *new recipe* mushroom and chicken quesadillas.


• TUESDAY: I'm experimenting with this *new* Sour Cream Burgers recipe, making them oval shaped to fit some sub buns I need to use up. I'll saute some onions and peppers to go on them, and serve with a side salad.


• WEDNESDAY: We'll have our favorite snack foods for supper- the kids are getting excited about our "party" (just the four of us at home). :) So far the menu includes our favorite layered taco dip, pigs in a blanket, and meatballs.


• THURSDAY: I'll make ribs and sour kraut in the crockpot for DH and the kids. I can't stand sour kraut, so I'll likely make myself some of my favorite potato soup.


• FRIDAY: to be decided.... likely something in the crockpot!
  
  

Back to the menu planning...

I know I haven't been here on my cooking blog too much lately... my apologies! Since September 19, when my five year-old was diagnosed with Type I diabetes, our meals have been kind of thrown together, trying to balance her carbohydrate needs with everything else we have going on that day. This week, though, I'm starting to feel more confident and ready to jump back into menu planning. Here goes...

TUESDAY: *new recipe* Deep Dish Sausage Pizza and salad

WEDNESDAY: our favorite crockpot BBQ ribs, corn

THURSDAY: *new recipe* Beef Stew in the crockpot

FRIDAY: Chicken Hurry, steamed broccoli, rice

* If you're not familiar with Type I/ Juvenile Diabetes, it's in many ways treated the opposite of Type II, which is much more common. (Our doctor says that only 1% of children will develop Type I Diabetes.) Type II is often diet-controlled and in some cases medication can prompt the body to produce insulin as needed. My daughter has Type I, which means that her body produces no insulin at all. There are no limitations on what my daughter eats, but, every carb must be counted, she has to eat at certain times of day, and she must receive insulin injections 4-5 times daily for the rest of her life.

Menu Plan Monday 9/8

This is a short menu plan this week-- DH is home for another week on vacation, so plans tend to change at the last minute. ;)

MONDAY: It's my birthday, so all I know is I'm not cooking! :)

TUESDAY: turkey, sauted zucchini, pasta We got some tequila-lime marinated turkey breasts at the store. I'm going to try cooking them in the crockpot.

WEDNESDAY: *new recipe* Zippy Beef Tips in the crockpot, mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli

THURSDAY: Low-Fat Italian Chicken and Vegetable Packets

FRIDAY: ? leaving Friday open for now, not sure of our plans yet

Menu Plan Monday 9/1

NOTE: I accidentally linked up on the Mr Linky @ I'm An Organizing Junkie as "Amy @ Tiny Blessings", which is my other blog. Feel free to pop over there for a visit, too, but if it's a menu you're looking for, you're in the right place! :)

DH is home this week on vacation, so I have a feeling the menu plan will get changed, but hey, at least it's a starting point! ;)

MONDAY: kielbasa, my favorite ranch potatoes, steamed broccoli

TUESDAY: pepperoni stromboli, salad

WEDNESDAY: Awesome Slow Cooker Pot Roast with veggies

THURSDAY: crockpot salsa chicken (literally just chicken tenders covered in salsa)~ made into soft tacos

FRIDAY: eating out

Menu Plan Monday 8/24

I have a feeling this week is going to pass by in one quick blur. I'm working four days and I have a couple of medical appointments, DD has soccer, and DH has several hours of overtime scheduled. In between all of that, we have to find time to eat! :)

These are all tried and true favorites- no time to try new recipes this week!

• MONDAY: beef enchiladas (using crockpot beef machaca), stewed tomatoes, refried beans
• TUESDAY:Italian Subs, potato salad, baby carrots & dip
• WEDNESDAY: sliced turkey & gravy (frozen entree), stuffing, peas
• THURSDAY: BBQ ribs in the crockpot, mini ears of corn on the cob
• FRIDAY: crockpot pizza casserole

Have a great week~ and if you're looking for menu inspiration, head over to I'm An Organizing Junkie!

Menu Plan, week of 8/17

I'm finally back on track with getting my menu plan done on Sunday evening- whoo hoo! :) Everything on the menu is from the pantry and freezer. If I get over to the farm market we'll add in fresh peaches and tomatoes.

SUNDAY: Tonight I experimented in the crockpot with chicken tenders, homemade taco seasoning, a drained can of corn, some salsa, and a can of cream of mushroom soup. We had this in flour tortillas with cheddar cheese. I liked it, but I think it would be better over rice instead of in tortillas. There's some leftover cooked rice in the fridge, so for lunch tomorrow I'll try that and see! ;)

MONDAY: crockpot cube steaks (another experiment: trying them with mushroom soup, gravy mix, and onions in the crockpot), mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli

TUESDAY: pepperoni stromboli, tossed salad

WEDNESDAY: Zesty Slow-Cooker Pot Roast with potatoes, green beans

THURSDAY: homemade sausage pizza, tossed salad

FRIDAY: broiled pork chops, alfredo noodles, steamed mixed veggies

Menu Plan Monday 8/11

It's just after 11pm on Monday, and I'm just now getting a few minutes to myself to sit down and sketch out a meal plan for the week. Does that tell you what kind of day it's been? ;)

SUNDAY: We had homemade steak fajitas with all the fixings.

MONDAY: We had Taco Bell.

TUESDAY: pork chops & stuffing casserole, steamed vegetables

WEDNESDAY: BBQ chicken breasts, our favorite macaroni & cheese with stewed tomatoes

THURSDAY: Italian roast in the crockpot with potatoes, green beans

FRIDAY: family favorite buffalo chicken wraps

If you've been here before, you know that's not as detailed as my usual plan, but hey... did I mention that it's already after 11pm? :)

Menu Plan Monday 8/4

These are all tried and true favorites this week, outside of today's experiment in the crockpot. ;) I'm trying to clean out the freezer and pantry.

• MONDAY: an experiment with chicken in my crockpot- if it works I'll blog the recipe later :)


• TUESDAY: Sausage Melts, potato wedges, cherry tomatoes


• WEDNESDAY: Mom's recipe for BBQ Ribs in Crockpot, mini ears of corn on the cob


• THURSDAY: Easy & Delicious Chicken in crockpot, over pasta, with green beans


• FRIDAY: Beef & Vegetables Stir-Fry

Menu Plan Monday 7/28

It's county fair week, which means that I'm working weird hours so I can take my nursing home residents to the fair. My youngest sister is staying here with the kids several times this week, so I'm trying to plan easy meals that she'll be able to feed them with a minimum of whining (kids) and effort (her). The notes after the meal plans are my efforts at planning "out loud" to get things coordinated. :)

MONDAY: buffalo chicken breasts, our favorite macaroni & cheese with stewed tomatoes (The macaroni was added in due to the breakfast request of my 2 year-old... "Mackawoni, Mommy? Mackawoni?" this morning... how could I deny such a sweet request?!?) and tossed salad

TUESDAY: family favorite meatloaf muffins, leftover macaroni & cheese, salad

WEDNESDAY: chicken breasts with salsa and taco seasoning in the crockpot (For me to prep in the morning and leave for the family to turn into soft tacos while I'm at work in the evening.)

THURSDAY: most likely a heat & eat frozen dinner (I'm working until 10pm Wednesday night and have to be in early Thursday morning- it's doubtful I'll get anything else prepped!)

FRIDAY: this yummy tried and true Chicken Pot Pie (I work in the AM but will be home by 3pm.)

For more menu plans and to share yours, check out Menu Plan Monday!

Menu Plan Monday 7/14

It's an easy week for me in the kitchen, which is great, because we have a busy week ahead!

MONDAY: *new recipe* Stephanie's Crockpot Peppercorn Steak & roasted potatoes

TUESDAY: eating out with friends to celebrate their new baby :) (We're ordering pizza at their house- I offered to bring dinner, but they want to treat us, so pizza it is!)

WEDNESDAY: birthday party/ cookout for my mom's 60th birthday ~ I'm bringing this yummy broccoli salad.

THURSDAY: Crockpot Hash Brown Casserole with ham added in, peas

FRIDAY: hamburgers with all the fixings & french fries

See? I told you it was an easy week- I feel like I'll hardly be cooking at all! I would like to take a cake or another baked good to our friends' house on Tuesday night~ since baking is not my forte, I'm open for any/ all suggestions!

Menu Plan Monday 7/7:

After this past week's trip, we are all sick of eating fast food and ready to eat some real food! Everything this week is tried and true, no new recipes... I'm just too tired right now to feel creative! ;)

• MONDAY: Spaghetti with my favorite homemade meat sauce, garlic bread, green beans
• TUESDAY: broccoli-chicken casserole with our favorite cornbread (Cornbread recipe is in the post before this one.)
• WEDNESDAY: my mom's crockpot BBQ Ribs, mini ears of corn on the cob

My mom's BBQ Ribs:
3-5 lbs boneless spare ribs
1 bottle favorite BBQ sauce (we like Kroger's spicy sauce)
salt & pepper, to taste

Place ribs in crockpot, season to taste. Cook on low all day (do not add any liquids). About an hour before serving time, drain liquid that has accumulated, and pour in BBQ sauce.

• THURSDAY: Crockpot Salsa Sour Cream Chicken, rice, stewed tomatoes
• FRIDAY: frozen dinner or take-out

Head on over to Menu Plan Monday to share your menu and snag ideas from others!

P.S. Did you hear that Stephanie from "A Year of Crockpotting" (one of my very favorite cooking blogs) will be appearing on the Rachael Ray show this week? Check it out on the Rachael Ray site! :)

Menu Plan Monday 6/30

I haven't done a menu plan for a couple of weeks now for various reasons. I figured it was time to get back on track, but this week isn't exactly normal for us- we'll be eating out three nights in a row! :)

MONDAY: my infamous chicken enchiladas, sweet corn cake, stewed tomatoes

TUESDAY: *new recipe* Awesome Baked Pork Chops, potatoes, steamed veggie mix

WEDNESDAY: crockpot BBQ chicken, corn on the cob

THURSDAY: eating out with friends
FRIDAY: dinner at a family event

SATURDAY: dinner at my cousin's wedding reception

Check out more menu plans~ Menu Plan Monday is usually hosted by I'm An Organizing Junkie, but since she's on vacation this week, you'll find it HERE instead.

P.S. I'm still trying to adjust the new header image... the sidebars overlapping it are bugging me!

Menu Plan Monday 5/26

This is an easy week for me in the kitchen! :)

Check out more menus and post your own at

Menu Plan Monday.

• MONDAY: *new recipe* 30-minute baked ravioli, steamed broccoli, strawberry pie
• TUESDAY: dinner with friends- we'll probably order in pizza
• WEDNESDAY: crockpot BBQ chicken, corn on the cob
• THURSDAY: broiled pork chops, peas, augratin potatoes
• FRIDAY: crockpot beef machaca in flour tortillas, stewed tomatoes
• SATURDAY: dinner at my aunt & uncle's house :)
  
  

Menu Plan Monday 5/19 (all tried and true)

It will be yet another week of odd schedules and running around in my house... it's beginning to feel like this is the norm, and those weeks when we're on our "normal" routine are the odd ones!

* Everything on this week's menu is tried and true-- no time for new recipes this week! :)

• SUNDAY: chicken fajitas with all the fixings, our favorite bean dip & tortilla chips
• MONDAY: ham steaks, peas, augratin potatoes
• TUESDAY: chicken broccoli casserole, biscuits
• WEDNESDAY: crockpot ravioli, garlic bread, tossed salad
• THURSDAY: Awesome Slow Cooker Pot Roast with potatoes and onions added in
• FRIDAY: Not sure yet.... might be an order-in pizza night! :)

Check out more menus and share yours at Menu Plan Monday!